Gaming Industry Risk Management Clearinghouse

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code and means for gathering, organizing and presenting on a real time basis information pertinent to Risks associated with subjects related to the Gaming Industry. Risks associated with the Gaming Industry can be managed by gathering data relevant to the Gaming Industry from multiple sources and aggregating the gathered data according to one or more risk variables. An inquiry relating to a risk subject can be received and portions of the aggregated data can be associated with the risk subject. The associated portions of the aggregated data can be transmitted to an entity placing the inquiry or other designated destination.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional application No. 60/390,459 entitled “Propriety RiskManagement”, filed Jun. 20, 2002. This application also claims thebenefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional application No.60/398,095 entitled “Gaming Industry Risk Management Clearinghouse”,filed Jul. 24, 2002. This application is a continuation-in-part of aprior application entitled “Risk Management Clearinghouse” filed Feb.12, 2002 and bearing the Ser. No. 10/074,584, as well as being acontinuation-in-part of a prior application entitled “Risk ManagementClearinghouse” filed Oct. 30, 2001, and bearing the Ser. No. 10/021,124,which is also a continuation-in-part of a prior application entitled“Automated Global Risk Management” filed Mar. 20, 2001, and bearing theSer. No. 09/812,627, all of which are relied upon and incorporated byreference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to systems, methods, apparatus, computerprogram code and means for facilitating the identification,investigation, assessment and management of legal, regulatory, financialand reputational risks (“Risks”). More particularly, embodiments of thepresent invention relate to systems, methods, apparatus, computerprogram code and means to conduct due diligence and research and makeinformed decisions to manage Risks relating to casinos; gambling games;the provision of gambling activities; gambling facilities; gamblingfacility operators; employees of a gambling facility operators; andproviders of services outsourced from gambling facility operators andother gambling activities (Gaming Industry).

BACKGROUND

The Gaming Industry has grown increasingly important in terms ofeconomic value and social concern during recent years. Generally, theU.S. Gaming Industry has revenues that may reach $60 billion annuallyand provides hundreds of thousands of jobs. However, the association ofthe Gaming Industry with social problems and crime is also widelyrecognized. Some estimates hold that there are more pages of governmentregulation related to gambling than there are for regulating the nuclearindustry. In addition history indicates that gambling related politicalcorruption become so prevalent in the 1800's that every state outlawedlotteries and other forms of gambling. Since gambling has again expandednumerous cases of political corruption have been exposed. Clearly, theGaming Industry has both benefits and Risks.

Compliance officers and other financial institution personnel typicallyhave few resources available to assist them with the identification ofpresent or potential global risks associated with a particular entity ortransaction involving the Gaming Industry. Risks can be multifaceted andfar reaching. The amount of information that needs to be considered toevaluate whether involvement with a Gaming Industry entity poses asignificant risk or should otherwise be restricted, is substantial.

However, institutions do not have available a mechanism which canprovide real time assistance to assess one or more risk variablesassociated with the Gaming Industry, or otherwise qualitatively managesuch risk. In the event of an investment problem, it is often difficultto quantify to regulatory bodies, shareholders, newspapers and/or otherinterested parties, the diligence exercised by the financial institutionto properly identify and respond to risk factors. Absent a means toquantify good business practices and diligent efforts to contain risk, afinancial institution may appear to be negligent in some respect.

General data services that are available to search news sources andother public information will accept a query and return a result.However, such services are not integrated into a risk management system.In addition, present data services only return a flat response to aquery submitted without any further data mining or scrubbing. Theinefficiency of having to manually ascertain what terms should besearched and then submit query that includes those terms makes thesesystems overbearing on a transaction by transaction basis. Also, overtime, databases can accrue a wide range of inaccuracies andinconsistencies, such as misspelled names, inverted text, missingfields, alternate spelling of key phrases, and other blemishes. Fixingsuch faulty records by hand on a timeframe needed to perform riskmanagement associated with a financial transaction may be impossible aswell as expensive and could result in the introduction of even moreerrors.

What is needed is a method and system to draw upon information gatheredglobally and utilize the information to assist with risk management anddue diligence related to financial transactions. A new method and systemshould anticipate scrubbing data from multiple sources in order tofacilitate merging data from all necessary sources. In addition, datamining should be made available to ascertain patterns or anomalies inthe query results. Risk information should also be situated to beconveyed to a compliance department and be able to demonstrate toregulators that a financial institution has met standards relating torisk containment.

Currently there is no convenient way to facilitate a comprehensiveanalysis of a Gaming Industry related entity without strenuous researchof multiple disparate sources. What is needed is a tool to facilitateanalysis of Gaming Industry related subjects.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, to alleviate problems inherent in the prior art andfacilitate analysis of Gaming Industry related subjects, embodiments ofthe present invention introduce systems, methods, apparatus, computerprogram code and means for gathering, organizing and presenting on areal time basis information pertinent to Risks associated with GamingIndustry related subjects. According to some embodiments, Risksassociated with the Gaming Industry can be managed by gathering datarelevant to the Gaming Industry from multiple sources and aggregatingthe gathered data according to one or more risk variables. An inquiryrelating to a risk subject associated with the Gaming Industry can bereceived and portions of the aggregated data can be associated with therisk subject. The associated portions of the aggregated data can betransmitted to an entity placing the inquiry or other designateddestination.

Systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code and means formanaging Risks are also provided where an alert can be implemented tocontinually monitor data and transmit any updated data associated withthe risk subject.

Systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code and means formanaging Risks can be implemented by interacting with a network accessdevice to access a risk management server. Interaction can be initiatedvia a communications network and information descriptive of a risksubject related to the Gaming Industry can be input and transmitted to arisk management clearinghouse server. The server can respond bytransmitting data associated with risk variables that relate to the risksubject which can be received at the network access device.

With these and other advantages and features of the invention that willbecome hereinafter apparent, the invention may be more clearlyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description of theinvention, the appended claims, and the drawings attached herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram that can embody this invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a network of computer systems that can embody anautomated RMC risk management system;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow of exemplary steps that can be executed by asystem implementing the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow of exemplary steps that can be executed by asystem to implement augmented data;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow of exemplary steps that can taken by a user ofthe RMC risk management system; and

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating an exemplary data structure of a customerrouting database for use in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention includes computerized systems and methods formanaging Risk associated with the Gaming Industry. A computerized systemcontinuously gathers and stores information as data in a database orother data storing structure and processes the data in preparation for aRisk inquiry search relating to a Risk subject, such as a casinofacility, a casino operator, a publicly traded gaming industry company,a casino or other gaming industry employee, or other gaming industryrelated subject. Document images and sources of information can also bestored. A Subscriber, such as an investor, a charity, a special interestgroup, a government entity, a financial institution, an insurancecompany, or other interested party, can submit a Risk management subjectfor which a Risk inquiry search can be performed. A Risk assessment orRisk inquiry search can be made against the gathered data and acomprehensive list of reference documents, related sources, reports andother data related to the Risk subject can be provided.

DEFINITIONS

To aid in the description of the present invention, the followingdefinitions can apply to terms utilized throughout this document:

Financial Transaction: a Financial Transaction refers to any action thatanticipates a transfer of money from a first set of one or moreTransaction Participants to a second set of one or more TransactionParticipants. Examples of Financial Transactions can include: investmentand merchant banking, public and private financing, commodities and asecurities trading, commercial and consumer lending, asset management,rating of corporations and securities, public and private equityinvestment, public and private fixed income investment, listing tocompanies on a securities exchange and bourse, employee screening,auditing of corporate or other entities, legal opinions relating to acorporate or other entity, or other business related transactions.

Gaming Industry: As pointed out in the Field of Invention, GamingIndustry refers to casinos; gambling games; the provision of gamblingactivities; gambling facilities; gambling facility operators; employeesof a gambling facility operators; and providers of services outsourcedfrom gambling facility operators and other gambling activities.

Informational Artifact: Informational Artifact refers to a media itemthat contains information that can be interpreted into a humanlyascertainable form. Examples of Informational Artifacts include: a newsarticle, a news feed portion, a video segment, a newscast, a report, anidentifiable document, an agency listing, a list, a governmentpublication, other identifiable publication, a sound byte, a soundrecording, or other media item.

Risk Bearing Institution: A Risk Bearing Institution refers to anyperson, entity, company, corporation or statutory “person” in thebusiness of providing Financial transactions. As such a Risk BearingInstitution can include, for example: a securities broker, a retailbank, a commercial bank, investment and merchant bank, private equityfirm, asset management company, a mutual fund company, a hedge fundfirm, insurance company, a credit card issuer, retail or commercialfinancier, a securities exchange, a regulator, a money transfer agency,bourse, an institutional or individual investor, an auditing firm, a lawfirm, any institution the business of which is engaging in financialactivities as described in section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Act of 1956or other entity or institution who may be involved with a financialtransaction or other business transaction or any entity subject to legaland regulatory compliance obligations with respect to money laundering,fraud, corruption, terrorism, organized crime, regulatory and suspiciousactivity reporting, sanctions, embargoes and other regulatory risks andassociated obligations.

Risks: Risks associated with a financial transaction can include factorsassociated with security risk, financial risk, legal risk, regulatoryrisk and reputational risk. A Security Risk refers to breach of a safetymeasure that may result in unauthorized access to a facility;unauthorized access to data; physical harm, including threat ofimmediate risk of harm to a person or goods. Financial Risk refers tofactors indicative of monetary costs that the Risk Bearing Institutionor a Transaction Participant may be exposed to as a result of aparticular Financial Transaction. Monetary costs can be related tofines, forfeitures, costs to defend an adverse position, lost revenue,or other related potential sources of expense. Regulatory Risk refers tofactors that may cause the Risk Bearing Institution or TransactionParticipant to be in violation of rules put forth by a government entityor regulatory agency, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC), a state Gaming Commission or Division of Gaming Enforcement, orother agency. Reputational risk relates to harm that a Risk BearingInstitution or Transaction Participant may suffer regarding itsprofessional standing in an industry or the public eye. A Risk BearingInstitution and Transaction Participant can suffer from being associatedwith a situation that may be interpreted as contrary to an image ofdiligence, honesty and forthrightness.

Risks may be related to the duty to disclose material information, toreport and possibly prevent: fraud, money laundering, foreign corruptpractices, bribery, embargoes and sanctions. Timely access to relevantdata on which to base a regulatory or reputational Risk related actioncan be critical to conducting business and comply with regulatoryrequirements such as those set forth by the Patriot Act in the UnitedStates.

Risk Management Clearinghouse (RMC): RMC refers to computerized systemsand methods for managing Risks and associating information and/orinformational artifacts useful for quantifying Risk with a Risk subject,as more fully described in the related patent applications: 10/074,584entitled “Risk Management Clearinghouse” filed Feb. 12, 2002, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/021,124 entitled “Risk ManagementClearinghouse” filed Oct. 30, 2001.

Risk Quotient: Risk Quotient refers to a quantitative value of an amountof Risk, a Risk Quotient can be based upon a weighted algorithm appliedto the Risk criteria and informational artifacts.

Risk Variable: A Risk variable can be any data that can cause a Risklevel to change. Risk variables may include, for example, factorsinvolving the Gaming Industry and links to organized crime or politicalcorruption.

Risk variables can also include, for exemplary purposes: financialinformation related to an Gaming Institution or facility; annualreports; government filings, personnel employed by the GamingInstitution or at a Gaming facility; stock price and/or history;corporate bonds issued, equity offerings; bankruptcy proceedings;litigations involving a Gaming Institution or Gaming facility; types ofservices available at a Gaming facility; demographics of a Gamingfacility; business developments including mergers, acquisitions,expansion, additional services or other material developments;government or regulatory actions implemented concerning a Gamingfacility or provider; history of fraud or maltreatment by a Gamingfacility, provider or employee; felony history by a Gaming facilityprovider or employee; or other factors.

Subscriber: A Subscriber can include any legal “person” or entity, suchas, for example: a consumer or consumer group, a government entity, asecurities broker, a bank, a private equity firm, an asset managementcompany, a mutual fund company, a hedge fund firm, a local community, asecurities exchange, an institutional or individual investor, anauditing firm, a law firm, any institution which includes in itsbusiness, investment in, advice relating to, or involvement with theGaming Industry facility or Gaming Industry provider.

Transaction Participant: Transaction Participant refers to a person whowill partake in a Financial transaction.

Risk associated with the Gaming Industry can be greatly increased due tothe difficulty in gathering and accessing pertinent data on a basistimely to managing risk associated with particular facts or documents.As part of due diligence associated with becoming associated with, orinvesting in, an entity in the Gaming Industry, it is important toascertain a level of Risk generated by a situation. Such due diligencemay be related, for example, to potential investment activity, publicrelations activity, business transactions, political or charitabledonations or other activity.

The Risk assessment or inquiry search can include data retrieved as aresult of augmented retrieval methods. Scrubbed data as well asaugmented data can be transmitted from a Risk management clearinghouse(RMC) to a Subscriber or to a proprietary Risk system utilized by aSubscriber, such as a Risk management system maintained in-house. Riskinquiry searches can be automated and made a part of standard operatingprocedure for decision making processes and due diligence performed bythe Subscriber.

Referring now to FIG. 1 a block diagram of some embodiments of thepresent invention is illustrated. An RMC system 106 gathers and receivesinformation which may be related to Risk variables associated with theGaming Industry. Information may be received, for example, from publiclyavailable sources 101-105, Subscribers 111, investigation entities, orother sources 107. The information can be constantly updated and can berelated to: a Gaming Industry facility; a Gaming Industry provider; anaffiliation to a Gaming Industry provider, such as a parent corporation;or other Gaming Industry related subject or Gaming Industry relatedalert list in order to facilitate due diligence or other researchefforts. The RMC system 106 facilitates due diligence on the part of aSubscriber 111 by gathering, structuring and providing to the Subscriber111 data that relates to Risk variables involved in a designated GamingIndustry subject.

Information relating to a Risk variable can include any data that cancause a Risk level to change. Sources of Gaming Industry Risk variableinformation may include, for example: subjects addressed by federalstatute or regulation such as in the U.S. Code or Federal Register;instances of political corruption; licenses to permit gambling; links toorganized crime; money laundering activities; State statutes andregulations; actions by a State Gaming Commission; actions by a FederalSenate or House Committee, such as the House Judiciary Committee, theHouse Government Reform Committee, the Senate Governmental AffairsCommittee, the Senate Select Indian Affairs Committee; GeneralAccounting Office Actions; changes to the Internal Revenue Tax Code;actions by the U.S. Treasury; or other variables. Variables relating tointernational aspects of the Gaming Industry can also be included, suchas: rules or actions put forth by the Australia New South Wales CasinoControl Authority; the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority; the CanadaOntario Casino Corporation; the New Zealand Casino Control Authority,the United Kingdom Gaming Board; the international Association of GamingRegulators; or other source. Some embodiments can include associating arelated reference, such as, a Federal or foreign statute, regulation orother reference with a portion of the gathered data.

Other Risk variable sources can include, for exemplary purposes:financial information related to a Gaming Industry company or facility;annual reports; government filings, personnel employed by the GamingIndustry or at a Gaming Industry facility; stock price and/or history;corporate bonds issued, equity offerings; bankruptcy proceedings;litigations involving a Gaming Industry entity or Gaming Industryfacility; types of activities available at a Gaming Industry facility;demographics of clientele, employees, owners, or other interestedpeople; Gaming Industry business developments such as, for example,mergers, acquisitions, expansion, additional services or other materialdevelopments; government or regulatory actions implemented concerningthe Gaming Industry facility or provider; history of fraud or moneylaundering associated with a Gaming Industry facility, provider oremployee; felony history associated with a Gaming Industry facility,provider or employee; or other factors.

Risk variable related information can also be received from formalizedlists, such as, for example: a list generated by a consumer watchdoggroup, a list generated by a state or federal agency, publications byGaming Industry advocates, opposition, watchdog groups by health careadvocates, publications by organizations with interested constituents,such as the American Gaming Association (AGA), the Public Sector GamingStudy Commission (PSGSC), a list set forth by a State Gaming Commission;a list by State r Federal Attorney General's Office or other source ofRisk variables.

Court records or other references relating to violation of regulatorystatute, fraud, bankruptcy, professional reprimand or a rescission of aright to run a gambling activity, prison records or other source ofsuspect behavior can also be an important source of information.

It is also known in the Gaming Industry for former government employeeswith positions related to enforcement of government gambling regulationsand policies to become employed by casino operators and other gamingparticipants. Such movement of place of employment can relate to Risksassociated with ethical implications or provide some credibility to theefforts put forth by the Gaming Industry to hire credible employees withproper knowledge of pertinent issues. Accordingly, records or otherartifacts, which can include public records or privately collectedinformation, and which relates to prior employment of Casino or otherGaming Industry employees can be included in the information gatheredthat relates to Risk variables.

Gathered information can also include information indicative that anGaming Industry entity does not present high Risk, such as participationon a major trading exchange, recommendation by a prominent insurer oradvocacy group, or other endorsement.

In some embodiments, information can be received by the RMC 106 from aSubscriber 111. Information supplied by a Subscriber 111 can includedata gathered according to a normal course of dealings with a particularGaming Industry related entity. For example, a casino operator maysupply information to the RMC 106 relating to its operations, or the SECmay receive information from the Gaming Industry which is subsequentlyreceived by the RMC 106.

A financial investment that involves an Gaming Industry facility or anGaming Industry provider can include, for example: public and privatefinancing; securities trading; commercial and consumer lending; assetmanagement; rating of corporations and securities; public and privateequity investment; public and private fixed income investment; listingof a company on a securities exchange, employee screening, auditing ofcorporate or other entity, legal opinions relating to a corporate orother entity, or other business related transactions.

A decision involving the Gaming Industry provider or facility can bedependent upon many factors. A multitude and diversity of Risks relatedto the factors may need to be identified and evaluated. In addition, theweight and implications of the factors and associated Risks can beinterrelated. The present invention can provide a consistent and uniformmethod for a consumer, business, legal, compliance, credit and otherrelated interest to identify and assess Risks associated with the GamingIndustry provider or facility. An RMC system 106 can allow Risks relatedto the Gaming Industry and investment activity involving the GamingIndustry to be identified, correlated and quantified by a Subscriber ona confidential or public basis and facilitate the assessment of legal,regulatory, financial and reputational exposure.

Similarly, the RMC system 106 can support a Subscriber's effort to meetrequirements regarding the maintenance of accurate books and recordsrelating to their financial transactions involving the Gaming Industryentity and affirmative duty to disclose material issues affecting aninvestor's decisions involving the Gaming Industry facility or provider.

Information gathered from the diversity of data sources can beaggregated into a searchable data storage structure 108. Someembodiments can include receiving and storing a source of information.In some instances a Subscriber 111 may wish to receive informationregarding the source of information received, such as, for example, if aSubscriber wishes to pursue obtaining additional related information;ascertain the veracity of the information; check to see how current theinformation is; determine credibility of the source or other reason.Gathering data 108 into an aggregate data structure 108, such as a datawarehouse can allow a RMC system 106 to have the data 108 readilyavailable for processing a Risk management search associated with a Risksubject. Aggregated data 108 can also be scrubbed or otherwise enhanced.

In some embodiments including enhanced data, data scrubbing can beutilized to implement a data warehouse comprising the aggregate datastructure 108. Data scrubbing can access information from multipledatabases 108 and store it in a manner that gives more efficient moreflexible access to key facts. Scrubbing can facilitate expedient accessto accurate data commensurate with a critical decision that may be basedupon a Risk management assessment provided.

Various data scrubbing routines can be utilized to facilitateaggregation of Risk variable related information. The routines caninclude programs capable of correcting a specific type of mistake, suchas an incomprehensible address, or clean up a full spectrum of commonlyfound database flaws, such as field alignment that can pick up misplaceddata and move it to a correct field, or removing inconsistencies andinaccuracies from like data. Other scrubbing routines can be directeddirectly towards specific Gaming Industry issues, such as auditingresults, filed complaints or court records.

A scrubbing routine can be useful, for example, to facilitatecoordination of related terms utilized in different jurisdictions, suchas a State agency, commission or other entity responsible for oversightof gambling activities within their jurisdiction. A data scrubbingroutine can be programmed to facilitate Risk variable searching formultiple spellings of an equivalent term, different terminology utilizedfor similar functions or other important information. Such a routine canenhance the value of the aggregate data gathered and also help correctdatabase flaws. Scrubbing routines can improve and expand data qualitymore efficiently than manual mending and also allow a Subscriber 111 toquantify best practices for regulatory or other purposes.

Retrieving information related to Risk variables from the aggregateddata 108 is an operation with the goal to fulfill a given a request. Inorder to process a request against a large document set of aggregatedRisk data with a response time acceptable to the user, it may benecessary to utilize an index based approach to facilitate acceptableresponse times. A direct string comparison based search may beunsuitable for the task.

An index file for a collection of documents can therefore be built uponreceipt of new data and prior to a query or other request. The indexfile can include a pointer to a document and also include importantinformation contained in a document. During a query, the RMC system 106can match the query against a representation of one or more documents,instead of the documents themselves. The RMC system 106 can retrieve anydocuments referenced by the indexes in order to satisfy a requestsubmitted by a Subscriber 111. However, it may not be necessary toretrieve a full document as an index record may contain enough relevantinformation gleaned from the document it points to. Therefore, in someinstances a Subscriber 111 may be able to obtain information of interestwithout having to read a related source document.

For example, at least two retrieval models can be utilized in fulfillinga search request: a) Boolean, in which the document set is partitionedin two disjoint parts: one fulfilling the query and one not fulfillingit, and b) relevance ranking based in which all the documents areconsidered relevant to a certain degree. Boolean logic models can useexact matching, while relevance ranking models typically utilize fuzzylogic, vector space techniques, neural networks, and probabilisticschema.

Augmenting data can include data mining techniques which utilizesoftware to analyze and sift through aggregated data 108 usingtechniques such as mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, patternrecognition, rule based trends or other data analysis tools. In contrastto a system that may have gathered and stored information in a flat fileand presented the stored information when requested, such as in adefined report related to a specific Risk subject or other ad hoc accessconcerned with a particular query at hand, the present invention canprovide Risk related searching that adds a discovery dimension byreturning results that a human operator may find labor and cognitivelyintense.

This discovery dimension supplied by the RMC system 106 can beaccomplished through the execution of augmenting techniques, such asdata mining, applied to the Risk related data that has been aggregated.Data mining can include the extraction of implicit, previously unknownand potentially useful information from the aggregated data. This typeof extraction can include unlooked for correlations, patterns or trends.Other techniques that can be applied can include fuzzy logic and/orinductive reasoning tools.

Embodiments can include a Subscriber 111 accessing the RMC system 106via a computerized system as discussed more fully below. The Subscriber111 can input a description of a Risk subject, or other inquiry, suchas, for example, the name of a party involved with the Gaming Industryfacility. In some instances, and in accordance with applicable laws,identifying information relating to our individual can also be input,such as a date of birth, a place of birth, a social security number orother identifying number, or any other descriptive information. The RMCsystem 106 can receive any input information descriptive of the risksubject and perform a Risk related inquiry or search related to the risksubject on the scrubbed data.

Embodiments can also include utilization of a computerized proprietaryRisk management (PRM) system 112. The PRM system 112 can receive anelectronic feed from an RMC system 106 with updated raw data, scrubbeddata or other data embodiment. In addition, data mining results can alsobe transmitted to the PRM system 112 or performed by the PRM system 112for integration into the Risk management practices provided in-house bythe Subscriber 111.

Information entered by a Subscriber 111 into a PRM system 112 may beinformation gathered according to a normal course of dealings with aparticular entity or as a result of a concerted investigation. Inaddition, since the PRM system 112 is proprietary, and a Subscriber 111responsible for the information contained therein can control access tothe information contained therein, the PRM system 112 can includeinformation that is public or proprietary.

In addition, some embodiments can include information entered into a PRMsystem 112 which can be shared with a RMC system 106. Informational datacan be shared, for example via an electronic transmission or transfer ofelectronic media. However, RMC system 106 data may be subject toapplicable local or national law and safeguards should be adhered to inorder to avoid violation of such law through data sharing practices. Inthe event that a Subscriber 111, or other interested party, discovers orsuspects that a person or entity is involved in a fraudulent orotherwise illegal activity, the system can also be utilized to generatea report containing related information which can be distributed to anappropriate authority.

A log or other stored history can be created by the RMC system 106and/or a PRM system 112, such that utilization of the system canmitigate adverse effects relating to a problematic situation. Mitigationcan be accomplished by demonstrating to an investor or other interestedparty that due diligence is being addressed through tangible Riskmanagement processes.

Questions can also be presented to an inquiry initiator by aprogrammable robot via a GUI. Questions can relate to a particularGaming Industry provider or a Gaming Industry facility, a particulartype of client, a type of investment, or other criteria or subject.

A query may, for example, search for information relating to a Risksubject, such as an individual or circumstance associated with GamingIndustry and provide questions, historical data, world event informationand other targeted information to facilitate a determination of Riskassociated with a Risk subject. For example, a query regarding a Riskentity's financial position can be input and include reference to aGaming Industry facility, a Gaming Industry provider, a parentorganization, or other related detail. Measures can also be put in placeto insure that all such inquiries should be subject to prevailing lawand contractual obligations.

A query can include direct input into a RMC system 106, such as througha graphical user interface (GUI) with input areas or prompts. A querycan also be automatically generated from monitoring transactions,investments, recommendations or other actions undertaken by a Subscriber111. For example, an information system can electronically scancommunication data for key words, entity names, treatment types or otherpertinent data. Programmable software can be utilized to formulate aquery according to names, treatment descriptions, investments or otherpertinent data and run the query against a database 108 maintained bythe RMC system 106. Other methods can include voice queries via atelephone or other voice line, such as voice over internet, fax,electronic messaging, or other means of communication.

Prompts or other questions proffered by the RMC system 106 can alsodepend from previous information received. Information generallyreceived, or received in response to the questions, can be input intothe RMC system 106 from which it can be utilized for real time Riskassessment.

Some embodiments can include generation of a Risk valuation, such as aRisk quotient, which is a rating or other value indicative of an amountof Risk associated with a Risk subject. If desired, a RMC server 210 ora PRM server 112 can also generate a suggested action to take responsiveto a particular risk quotient.

Some embodiments can also include an alert list containing names and/orterms of interest to a Subscriber 111 which are supplied to a RMC system106 by a Subscriber 111 or other source 107. An alert list can becustomized and specific to a Subscriber 111. The RMC system 106 cancontinually or periodically monitor data in the RMC database 108 via analert query with key word, fuzzy logic or other search algorithm andtransmit related informational data to the interested party. In thismanner, ongoing diligence can be conducted. In the event that newinformation is uncovered by the alert query, the Subscriber 111 can beimmediately notified, or notified according to a predetermined schedule.Appropriate action can be taken according to the information uncovered.

In some embodiments, the RMC database can contain only informationcollected from publicly-available sources relevant to the provision orregulation of Gaming Industry or to Gaming Industry as an industry. ASubscriber 111 can use the RMC database 108 to identify indications ofhigh risk activity included in artifacts presented by the RMC 106. Highrisk activities identified in the artifacts can include, for example:the possibility that a Gaming Industry facility or Gaming Industryprovider is involved with inappropriate, illegal, politically volatile,socially adverse, immoral or other questionable activity. In addition,an RMC 106 can be useful in determining whether the Gaming Industryprovider is fiscally viable.

A Subscriber 111 to the RMC system 106 can access the database 108electronically and receive relevant information electronically or inhard copy format. A Subscriber 111 can be permitted to accessinformation in the RMC system 106 in various ways, including, forexample: system to system inquires involving single or batch screeningrequests, individual inquiries (submitted electronically, by facsimile,or by phone), or through a web-based interface supporting various querytypes.

In some embodiments, an RMC system 106 can take any necessary steps soas not to be regulated as a consumer reporting agency. Such steps mayinclude not collecting or permitting others to use information from theRMC database 108 to establish an individual's eligibility for consumercredit or insurance, other business transactions, or for employment orother Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) covered purposes such aseligibility for a government benefit or license.

To satisfy the requirements of such embodiments, a subscriptionagreement to an RMC system 106 can be established between the RMC system106 provider and a Subscriber 111 which will create enforceablecontractual provisions prohibiting the use of data from the RMC database108 for such purposes. The operations of the RMC system 106 can bestructured to minimize the Risk that the RMC database 108 will be usedto furnish consumer reports and therefore become subject to the FCRA.

Some embodiments can also include additional policies and practiceswhich are established to achieve the objective of not being subject toFCRA, such as, for example: the information in the RMC database 108 canbe collected only from reputable, publicly available sources and notcontain information from consumer reports; the RMC system 106 can foregocollection of or permit others to use, information from the RMC database108 to establish an individual's eligibility for consumer credit orinsurance, other business transactions, or for employment or otherFCRA-covered purposes. Subscribers 111 can be required to execute alicensing agreement that will limit their use of the data to specifiedpurposes. A Subscriber 111 can be required to certify that theSubscriber 111 will use the data only for such specified purposes, andto certify annually that the Subscriber 111 remains in compliance withthese principles.

A licensing agreement can also require that Subscribers 111 separatelysecure information from non-RMC system 106 sources to satisfy any needthe Subscriber 111 has for information to be used in connection with theSubscriber's determination regarding a consumer's eligibility forcredit, insurance, other business transactions, or employment or forother FCRA-covered purposes.

In some embodiments, a RMC system 106 can be structured to takeadvantage of the immunity from liability for libel and slander grantedby the Communications Decency Act (“CDA”) to providers of interactivecomputer services. Where its operations are not protected by the CDA, anRMC system 106 may be able to reduce its Risk of liability fordefamation substantially by relying only on official sources and otherreputable sources, and taking particular care with defamatoryinformation from unofficial sources. In addition the RMC system 106provider can take reasonable steps to assure itself of the information'saccuracy, including insuring that the source of the information isreputable.

In some embodiments, a RMC system 106 can operate as an interactivecomputer service as that term is defined in the CDA. In suchembodiments, the clearinghouse can provide an information service and/oraccess software that enables computer access by multiple users to acomputer server. In some embodiments, if desired, an RMC system 106provider can limit its employees or agents from creating or developingany of the content in the RMC database 108. Content be maintainedunchanged except that the RMC system 106 can remove information from theRMC database 108 that it determines to be inaccurate or irrelevant.

Some embodiments can also include a value rating, such as a riskquotient which can be generated to readily indicate a level of riskassociated with a particular risk subject. The risk quotient can bebased upon a weighted algorithm applied to the risk variables or otherfactors. The risk quotient can be made available on a periodic basis, ondemand in real time, in response to an event such as an inquiry aplacement or an investment; or according to some other request. Actionscommensurate with a risk level can be presented to assist with properrisk management.

If desired, embodiments can include a comparison of risk related dataand risk quotients for disparate entities. The comparison can includedata and sources of the data as well as a risk quotient value rating ofan amount of risk that can be associated with each risk subject. Riskcan be mitigated by the association of a risk subject with riskvariables that contain less inherent risk, such as a public organizationsubject to reporting requirements, or a facility associated with theGaming Industry provider that enjoys an excellent reputation.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a network diagram illustrating some embodimentsof the present invention is shown 200. An automated RMC 106 can includea computerized RMC server 210 accessible via a distributed network 201such as the Internet, or a private network. A Subscriber 221, Gamingentity 220, government agency 226, investor 228, or other partyinterested in Risk management, can use a computerized system or networkaccess device 204-207 to receive, input, transmit or view informationprocessed in the RMC server 210. A protocol, such as the transmissioncontrol protocol internet protocol (TCP/IP) can be utilized to provideconsistency and reliability.

In addition, a PRM server 211 can access a RMC server 210 via thenetwork 201 or via a direct link 209, such as a T1 line or other highspeed pipe. The PRM server 211 can be accessed by an in-house user222-224 via a system access device 212-214 and a distributed network201, such as a local area network, or other private network, or even theInternet, if desired. An in-house user 224 can also be situated toaccess the RMC server 210 via a direct link 225, or any other systemarchitecture conducive to a particular need or situation.

A computerized system or system access device 204-207 212-214 used toaccess the RMC server 210 or the PRM server 211 can include a processor,memory and a user input device, such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screenor other device and a user output device, such as a display screenand/or printer. The system access devices 204-207, 212-214 cancommunicate with the RMC server 210 or the PRM server 211 to access dataand programs stored at the respective servers 210-211. The system accessdevice 212-214 may interact with the server 210-211 as if the RMC Riskmanagement system 211 were a single entity in the network 200. However,the servers 210-211 may include multiple processing and databasesub-systems, such as cooperative or redundant processing and/or databaseservers that can be geographically dispersed throughout the network 200.

The PRM server 211 includes one or more databases 225 storing datarelating to proprietary Risk management. The RMC server 210 and the PRMserver 211 may interact with and/or gather data from an operator of asystem access device 220-224 226 228 or other source. Data received maybe structured according to Risk criteria and utilized to calculate aRisk quotient.

Typically an in-house user 222-224 or other user 220-221, 226, 228 willaccess the RMC server 210 using client software executed at a systemaccess device 204-207, 212-214. The client software may include ageneric hypertext markup language (HTML) browser, such as NetscapeNavigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, (a “WEB browser”). The clientsoftware may also be a proprietary browser, and/or other host accesssoftware. In some cases, an executable program, such as a Java™ program,may be downloaded from the RMC server 210 to the network access device204-207, 212-214 and executed at the system access device 204-207,212-214 or computer, as part of the RMC Risk management software. Otherimplementations include proprietary software installed from a computerreadable medium, such as a CD ROM. The invention may therefore beimplemented in digital electronic circuitry, computer hardware,firmware, software, or in combinations of the above. Apparatus of theinvention may be implemented in a computer program product tangiblyembodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by aprogrammable processor; and method steps of the invention may beperformed by a programmable processor executing a program ofinstructions to perform functions of the invention by operating on inputdata and generating output.

Referring now to FIG. 3, steps taken to manage Risks associated with theGaming Industry can include gathering data relating to Risk entities andother Risk variables 310 and receiving the gathered information into anRMC server 210. Informational data can be gathered from a source ofelectronic data such as, for example: an external database, a messagingsystem, a news feed, a government agency, any other automated dataprovider, an private investigation firm, a court reporter, a stateregulator, an insurance company, the Gaming Industry facility, theGaming Industry provider, the Gaming Industry recipient, a partyassociated with the Gaming Industry recipient, or other source.Information can be received on an ongoing basis such that if new eventsoccur in the world that affect the Risk associated with the GamingIndustry facility or Gaming Industry provider, the calculated Risks canbe adjusted accordingly.

A source of Risk variable data can also be received 311 by the RMCserver 210 or other provider of Risk management related data. Forexample, a source of Risk variable data may include a government agency,an investigation firm, public records, news reports, publications issuedby a commercial insurer, other government and non-governmentorganizations, internet websites, news feeds, commercial databases, orother information sources.

The RMC server 210 can aggregate the data received according to GamingIndustry Risk variables 312 or according to any other data structureconducive to fielding Gaming Industry related Risk.

A RMC server 210 can be accessed in real time, or on a periodic basis.In real time embodiments, any changes to the RMC data 108 may beautomatically forwarded to a Subscriber 111 or an in-house PRM system106. Embodiments utilizing periodic access, the RMC system 106 can bescheduled to receive queries at set intervals.

All data received can be combined and aggregated 312 to create anaggregate source of data which can be accessed to perform Riskmanagement activities. Combining data can be accomplished by any knowndata manipulation method. For example, the data can be maintained inseparate tables and linked with relational linkages, or the data can begathered into on comprehensive table or other data structure. Inaddition, if desired, information received can be associated with one ormore variables including a number of violations received during a timeperiod and the type of violation; a quantity of complaints filed and thereason for such complaints; any fines levied against the Gaming Industryfacility and/or provider; employment history of a key employee of aGaming Industry provider; a record of conviction for any employee of anGaming Industry provider; types of gambling offered by the GamingIndustry provider; affiliations of a Gaming Industry facility, which caninclude both domestic and foreign affiliates; financial statementsrelating to the Gaming Industry facility or Gaming Industry provider;any instances of making accounts available form one facility to anotherfacility on an international basis, any records relating to bankruptcyassociated with an Gaming Industry provider, or other data.

The RMC server 210 or PRM server 211 can receive an inquiry relating toa Risk subject 313. The Risk subject can be any subject related to thevariables discussed above, for example, a Risk subject can include theGaming Industry facility, the Gaming Industry provider, the name of theGaming Industry provider employee, or other related subject.

The inquiry from a Subscriber 111, or other authorized entity, can causethe respective servers 210-211 to search the aggregated data 108 andassociate related portions of aggregated data 108 with the Risk subject314. The associated portions of aggregated data 108 can be transmitted315 to a party designated by the requesting Subscriber 111.

The RMC server 210 or PRM server 211 may also receive a request for asource of identified Risk variable related data 316, in which case, theRMC server 210 or PRM server 211 can transmit the source of theidentified Risk variable related data to the requestor 317. The sourcemay be useful in ascertaining the credibility of the Risk variablerelated data, to follow up with a request for additional information orother purpose.

A RMC server 210 or PRM server 211 can also store in memory, orotherwise archive Risk management related data 108 and proceedings 318.Archived Risk management related data and proceedings can be useful todemonstrate historical perspective or quantify due diligence effortsrelating to high Risk situations. Accordingly, reports quantifying risksubjects researched, Risk management procedures, executed due diligence,corporate governance or other matters can be generated 319.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the present invention can also include stepsthat allow an RMC server 210 or PRM server 211 to provide dataaugmenting functionality that allows for more accurate processing ofdata related to Risk management. Accordingly, a RMC server 210 or PRMserver 211 can aggregate Risk variable related data 410 and also thesource of the Risk variable related data 411. The RMC server 210 or PRMserver 211 can also enhance the Risk variable related data, such asthrough data scrubbing techniques or indexing as discussed above. A Risksubject description can also be received 413 and also scrubbed orotherwise enhanced 414.

An inquiry can be performed against the aggregated and enhanced data415. In addition, an augmented search that incorporates data miningtechniques 416 can also be included to further expand the depth ofknowledge retrieved by the inquiry. If desired, a new inquiry can beformed as a result of the augmented search. This process can continueuntil the inquiry and augmentation ceases to add any additionalmeaningful value.

As discussed above, any searching and augmentation can be archived 417and reports generated to quantify the due diligence efforts 418.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flow chart illustrates steps that a user,such as a Subscriber 111, can implement to manage Risk associated with atransaction or other Risk related event. The user can receiveinformation descriptive of a Risk subject, such as an entity associatedwith Gaming Industry 510. The user can access an RMC server 210 andidentify to the RMC server 210 one or more Risk variables or searchsubjects related to Gaming Industry 511. Access can be accomplished byopening a dialogue with an RMC system 211 with a network access device,204-207, 212-214. Typically, the dialogue would be opened by presentinga GUI to a network access device accessible by a person or an electronicfeed that will enter information relating to the transactor. The GUIwill be capable of accepting data input via a network access device. Anexample of a GUI would include a series of questions relating to theGaming Industry variable. Alternatively, information can be receiveddirectly into fields of a database 108, such as from a commercial datasource.

In some embodiments, automated monitoring software can run in thebackground of a normal transaction program and screen data traversing anapplication. The screened data can be processed to determine key wordswherein the key words can in turn be presented to the RMC server 210 asRisk subjects or Risk variables. The RMC server 210 will process the keywords to identify entities or other Risk variables. Monitoring softwarecan also be installed to screen data traversing a network orcommunications link.

For example, monitoring software may be utilized in conjunction withsoftware utilized for investment applications, public relationsapplications, business transactions, political or charitable donationsor other at Risk activities. The monitoring software can screen data andautomatically implement Risk searches related to the Gaming Industry.

The user will receive back information relating to Risk associated withthe submitted subject 512. Embodiments can allow information to includeimages of documents, structured data, enhanced data, such as scrubbeddata, or other type of data presentation. In some embodiments, a usercan receive data resulting from ongoing monitoring of key words,identified entities, gaming facility, gaming provider or other subject,or list of subjects. Any updated information or change of statusdetected via an ongoing monitoring can result in an alarm or other alertbeing sent to one or more appropriate recipients. A user can alsoreceive augmented information 513, such as data that has been processedthrough data mining techniques discussed above.

In addition to receiving augmented information 513, a user can alsorequest an identifier, such as a link, to a source of information 514.Receipt of a link or contact information pertaining to a source ofinformation 515 may be useful to pursue more details relating to theinformation, or may be utilized to help determine the credibility of theinformation received.

A user can also cause an archive to be created relating to the Riskmanagement 516. An archive may include, for example, informationreceived relating to Risk associated with a Gaming Industry facility orprovider, inquiries made and results of each inquiry. In addition, theuser can cause an RMC server 210 to generate reports to quantify thearchived information and otherwise document diligent actions takenrelating to Risk management 517.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a portion of a data structure that can beutilized with some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated.The data structure 600 can include, for example, a data field forstoring risk variables 602, a data field for storing the Gaming Industrycompany or other provider 604, a data filed for storing a description ofa publication or other document description 606, a data field forstoring a description of an identification of a source of information608, or other data fields. Data structures 600 can include relationaldata, hierarchical data, flat files or other formats known in the arts.

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, a RMC server 210 can be made available on the Internet andreceive input descriptive of a risk subject or be made available througha commercial information provider. In addition, the Gaming Industryrelated risk quotient can be compared to a threshold level of Riskgenerally acceptable for a particular circumstance. Accordingly, otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

1-34. (canceled)
 35. A processor implemented method for determining arisk quotient comprising a quantitative value of an amount of gamingindustry related risk, the method comprising: associating via aprocessor a numerical weight with each of a plurality of risk variables;associating via the processor one or more of the risk variables withdata descriptive of details of a financial transaction; determining viathe processor a numerical value based upon content of the datadescriptive of details of a financial transaction associated with theone or more risk variables; generating via the processor a risk quotientby multiplying the numerical value based upon the content by thenumerical weight associated with each of the risk variables associatedwith the data descriptive of details of a financial transaction; andgenerating via the processor a report comprising data descriptive ofdetails of the financial transaction and the generated risk quotient.36. The method of claim 35 wherein the risk quotient comprises anindication of a cost to defend an adverse position.
 37. The method ofclaim 35 wherein the risk quotient comprises an indication an amount ofreputational risk.
 38. The method of claim 35 wherein the risk quotientcomprises an indication of an amount of regulatory risk.
 39. The methodof claim 35 wherein the risk quotient comprises an indication of anamount of legal risk.
 40. The method of claim 35 wherein the riskquotient comprises an indication of an amount of risk associated withmonetary costs related to potential fines.
 41. The method of claim 35additionally comprising generating a suggested action based upon therisk quotient and at least some of the data referenced to calculate therisk quotient.
 42. The method of claim 35 wherein structuring the datadescriptive of informational artifacts and the data relating details ofthe financial transaction according to risk quotient criteria comprisesprocesses based upon Boolean logic.
 43. A non-transitory computerreadable medium storing processor-executable instructions fordetermining a risk quotient comprising a quantitative value of an amountof gaming industry related risk, said instructions configured to:associate a numerical weight with each of a plurality of risk variables;associate one or more of the risk variables with data descriptive ofdetails of a financial transaction; determine a numerical value basedupon content of the data descriptive of details of a financialtransaction associated with the one or more risk variables; generate arisk quotient by multiplying the numerical value based upon the contentby the numerical weight associated with each of the risk variablesassociated with the data descriptive of details of a financialtransaction; and generate a report comprising data descriptive ofdetails of the financial transaction and the generated risk quotient.44. The medium of claim 43 wherein the risk quotient comprises anindication of a cost to defend an adverse position.
 45. The medium ofclaim 43 wherein the risk quotient comprises an indication an amount ofreputational risk.
 46. The medium of claim 43 wherein the risk quotientcomprises an indication of an amount of regulatory risk.
 47. The mediumof claim 43 wherein the risk quotient comprises an indication of anamount of legal risk.
 48. The medium of claim 43 wherein the riskquotient comprises an indication of an amount of risk associated withmonetary costs related to potential fines.
 49. The medium of claim 43additionally comprising instructions configured to generate a suggestedaction based upon the risk quotient and at least some of the datareferenced to calculate the risk quotient.
 50. The medium of claim 43wherein structuring the data descriptive of informational artifacts andthe data relating details of the financial transaction according to riskquotient criteria comprises processes based upon Boolean logic.